What now for urban regeneration?

Institution of Civil Engineers

Year of publication: 2008 (written in 2008, published in 2010)

This paper from 2008 highlights a need to revisit our approach to urban regeneration, stating that in recent years ‘regeneration’ has instead largely focused on ‘renewal’, and has failed to deliver long-term economic or social benefits.

It explores whether urban areas have actually improved beyond flagship and amenity developments, looking at whether these have delivered lasting change or resolution to challenges in cities – or instead had negative consequences such as gentrification, exclusivity and continued deprivation.

Written in the aftermath of the recession, the paper cites the financial crisis as an opportunity to rebalance our approach to regeneration and return to its core purpose of ‘action to address need’ – focusing on solving genuine urban problems such as unemployment and underinvestment.